IslamicBoard
Thread: most awkward moment around a non Muslim?
:bism:

:sl:

So, I'm a legal intern and have the privilege from time to time attend courthouse proceedings and also litigate cases.

Most awkward moment:

I was once praying in a private room with the permission of the person in charge at the courthouse; since it was a 4-rakat salat, I was into the prayer and didn't hear any noise when the room opened. One court officer walked in from behind without my knowledge or awareness, and another officer walked in front from another door. Since you're not supposed to converse with anyone during salat, I knew I couldn't respond to their question and yet I was afraid because I didn't know what they would think. Just in time though, I realized that the officer coming in from the front inadvertently broke my salat because there wasn't any barrier and anyone walking in front breaks your salat as per fiqh of salat (Islamic divine regulation of prayer). So, they asked me what I was doing, and I explained to them that I was praying.

The officers were suspicious and told me that they needed me to verify myself as a legal intern; so, I took them to the place where I'd kept my belongings (the attorneys' area of the courthouse) and showed them my I.D. They apologized, and the male officer commented that no one had told them. I was a little tearful, although I had on a brave face. Then, the person in charge found out that this happened and apologized to me and said that I should tell her if anything like this happens again and she will "beat them up for me." Since she's a robust yet old black woman, I laughed at her words and thanked her because I was touched by her show of support.

Next time, in a hearing that I was observing some weeks later, the female officer who'd been part of the above scenario, was working her shift one morning; when I saw her, I smiled at her to show there were no hard feelings, and she was kind of surprised or so I think, but she smiled back.

:wa:

BilalKid said:
my feet in sink at school toilet ;D
Click to expand...
 
:sl:

Had more awkward moments but this is just one. Was praying in the side of the shopping mall next to ticket machine and lot of people walked past.

Little girl: What's that boy doing?
Mummy: He's just praying.
Little girl: Why?
*Silence*

This happened while I was praying, so no opportunity for Dawah because when I finished they left :O.
 
"What is that on your head?"
"Do you wear that when you're asleep?"
"I love your hee-jib, it's so exotic."
Real words I've heard from strangers when I occasionally wear a hijab
 
I always get this, along with does it get hot under there? lol

ayaanaa said:
"What is that on your head?"
"Do you wear that when you're asleep?"
"I love your hee-jib, it's so exotic."
Real words I've heard from strangers when I occasionally wear a hijab
Click to expand...
 
'Why do you cover your face and the rest of your family doesn't?'

That's always an awkward one to answer.
 
While I was walking in the forest (looking for wild berries) from unknown old lady:

"Is here really SO MUCH mosquitos that you have to cover all your head???"

:uuh: Well yeah I keep my hijab to keep mosquitos away... what a great reason.
 
For some apparent reason, explaining the act of wadu to non Muslims always seems to present an awkward moment. They look at me with a sense of shock on their face when they hear that we have to wash up after using the bathroom or breaking wadu in general. Then I present them the question of whether or not they think its more hygienic to wash themselves vs wiping themselves with a piece of paper after using the restroom. The conversation usually ends right there
 
This thread reminds me of an incident a good friend of mine once experienced.

Colleague: The faculty are meeting up at the local restaurant to celebrate. We’re running late.

Muslim: Doesn’t that restaurant serve alcohol?

Colleague: Yes. Why do you ask?

Muslim: My religion prohibits me from even being around alcohol.

Colleague: We understand. Come on now, let’s go, they’re waiting for us. You don’t have to drink anything.

Muslim: Actually, I have a major problem.

Colleague: What is it?

Muslim: I’m a recovering alcoholic. You know how it is.

Colleague: Wow, I didn’t know. I think you should pass on this one. Don’t worry, I’ll let them know you had a prior commitment.
 
Once I was walking outdoors, I had grey, old hijab and a woodship basket with me as I was looking for mushrooms. I met a little girl who was there with her´s mother. Girl looked at me carefully and asked: "Are you a witch?"

:nervous:

(Her´s mother explained they had read before a storybook where was a picture about witch, who was old lady with scarf and similar basket and who was collecting toads, snakes and fly agarics for the magic potions).
 
"if you're so worried about showing your hair, why don't you just shave your head?"

This was at a comparative religion talk about women in faith. The woman quoted above was a volunteer working for the police at the time. She was suspended and came to apologise directly to us at our masjid soon after.
 
keiv said:
For some apparent reason, explaining the act of wadu to non Muslims always seems to present an awkward moment. They look at me with a sense of shock on their face when they hear that we have to wash up after using the bathroom or breaking wadu in general. Then I present them the question of whether or not they think its more hygienic to wash themselves vs wiping themselves with a piece of paper after using the restroom. The conversation usually ends right there
Click to expand...

Does that mean bathrooms in Muslim homes usually have bidets? I'm not being sarcastic, just trying to learn. Also, I would imagine that Orthodox Jews would understand, given they sometimes still do the ritual washing. Christians who have any idea of their history would understand, too. But in the toilet? Really? Is that because the sink is too high to reach? Or is it a joke that a non-Muslim wouldn't get lol?
 
:bism:

LaSorcia said:
Does that mean bathrooms in Muslim homes usually have bidets? I'm not being sarcastic, just trying to learn. Also, I would imagine that Orthodox Jews would understand, given they sometimes still do the ritual washing. Christians who have any idea of their history would understand, too. But in the toilet? Really? Is that because the sink is too high to reach? Or is it a joke that a non-Muslim wouldn't get lol?
Click to expand...

Hi, sweetie! (Btw, about to bump your thread to ask for an update!)

Well, I know we have a bidet in our home.

Lol, from what I understand, BilialKid is a 17-year old bloke, and when he says "toilet," I am relatively sure he means the bathroom and in which he uses the sink to wash his feet.

Well, I think keiv means spraying water on your privates.

The wudu (ablution) portion is done in the sink.

However, after doing the private business in the toilet, I think cleansing with water is done immediately to ensure that the privates are clean. I think there's a good scholarly answer on the subject that I'm sharing with you too.

Well, in Islam, in absence of a water source, Muslims are permitted to do dry ablution.
 
erucysae said:
"if you're so worried about showing your hair, why don't you just shave your head?"

This was at a comparative religion talk about women in faith. The woman quoted above was a volunteer working for the police at the time. She was suspended and came to apologise directly to us at our masjid soon after.
Click to expand...

This might not have been as rude as it sounded. This was actually an option for new Christian women in early bible times.
 
When they assume you have a 'girlfriend' and want all the details to satisfy their curiosity. I'm thinking... dude, what's going on in your head
 
LaSorcia said:
This might not have been as rude as it sounded. This was actually an option for new Christian women in early bible times.
Click to expand...

Maybe. But I don´t think that majority of people would know how Christians behaved in early bible times. And by scarf we also have to cover, not only our hairs but head, shoulders and the upper body. We naturally can´t cut them away... ;D
 
sister herb said:
Maybe. But I don´t think that majority of people would know how Christians behaved in early bible times. And by scarf we also have to cover, not only our hairs but head, shoulders and the upper body. We naturally can´t cut them away... ;D
Click to expand...

Lol, good points.